Friendship

Millefleur took a hesitant step towards the maze. She froze almost immediately, a shiver running down her spine.

Inwardly, she scolded herself, calling herself a fool.

This was a festive occasion, something to get the minds of xyns off the daily routine and have them enjoy themselves. And here she was, being scared.

She felt someone nudge her hindquarters and turned her head. There stood Huldra, smiling encouragingly.

The forest xyns usually didn't make their way out of the Selune Woods, but Huldra thought the maze would be a nice practice for Millefleur, to help her work on her fears.

Millefleur had been an adventurer once, hopping between dimensions, exploring, treasure hunting and just having a good time. She had enjoyed her freedom back then.

Then, things had gone horribly wrong. During one trip outside of Lunerest, unknown creatures who stood on two legs had attacked her, capturing her, hurting her. Blinding her in one eye. Millefleur didn't even remember how she got out, only that she ran, hastily opening a portal back to Lunerest at first chance.

She hadn't been dimension hopping ever since.

In fact, she barely ever left the forest.

It was as if the incident had sucked all her bravery out of her, leaving her a mere husk of the xyn she had once been.

Millefleur sometimes mourned her loss of self, but every time she thought about doing something about it, her fear kept her locked in place. Years went by.

Then, one day, she had met Huldra. Or rather, the other moxyn had stumbled upon her.

Millefleur had sat under a tree, lost in thought, and Huldra had strolled through the forest, minding her own business. Both had been completely taken by surprise by the presense of the other xyn.
Millefleur remembered how she sucked in a breath, and how Huldra had turned at the sound, spotting her. Time froze.

She couldn't remember who spoke first, only that the other moxyn had been a steady presence in her life ever since.

Feeling her nervousness, Huldra's horn started to glow and the warmth of her Soothe magic spread through Millefleur. Her nerves stopped screaming at her and her breathing calmed down. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she opened them again, she felt much more like herself again.

"So this is it?" A quiet voice spoke up.

It was the third xyn in their trio, Sylph. Huldra had introduced her to the brown xyn shortly after their first meeting. Sylph was gentle and unobstrusive, a silent presence, so it was easy for Millefleur to relax around her. They had been together ever since, Huldra and Sylph strong whenever Millefleur herself couldn't be.

Sylph had been more sceptical about trying the maze, worried that it might set-back Millefleur. Huldra had been much more positive. And with her being their leader, the decision had been clear.
Millefleur trusted them enough to go along, but now she wasn't so sure anymore.

The maze stood before them, reaching much further up than she had imagined, the insides even darker than the nighttime Lunerest around them. Only the crystal kernels sparkled in the moonlight.

It would have been a peaceful sight for anyone else, but for Millefleur's trauma-ridden brain it screamed danger. She began to shake.

Two soft, warm bodies pressed closer to her sides. Millefleur blinked, and she realized she had began to drift, her mind wandering back to pain experienced many years ago.

"Lean on us. We've got you." Sylph said softly.

"We won't let anything hurt you." Huldra promised. "And if you feel like it's too much, we can turn around any time."

Millefleur nodded, not trusting her voice.

"Ready, girls?" Sylph asked, tone light.

"Breathe with us." Huldra said to Millefleur.

She nodded again and, closing her eyes, synchronized her breathing with the xyns by her side. In and out, in and out, until their flanks rose and fell in unison.

Her eyes opened.

Gathering all her courage, Millefleur entered the maze.

She knew her friends would be by her side.